Eastern Connecticut State University
#6 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut- Graduation Rate
- 58% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,469 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,067 D+
- 23% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Business Colleges in Connecticut.
Every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,319,745.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Eastern Connecticut State University Matters
Eastern Connecticut State University is a public university in Willimantic, CT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,418
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Eastern Connecticut State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1260. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,067 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,469 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $24,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 83% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Eastern Connecticut State University has an acceptance rate of 83%, making it accessible for many students seeking higher education. With an enrollment of 3,418, it offers a balance of personalized attention and diverse opportunities within a public university setting.
The earnings for graduates a decade after leaving Eastern Connecticut average $56,469. This figure reflects the university's focus on practical programs, particularly in fields like Business, Psychology, and Health Professions, which are among the top areas of study. While specific mobility data is not available, the university's emphasis on career-relevant education suggests positive outcomes for its graduates.
Students can expect a net price of $21,067, with median debt at $24,250. This financial landscape indicates that many graduates leave with manageable debt relative to their earning potential. Eastern Connecticut attracts students who are looking for a supportive environment with a variety of programs that lead to solid job prospects after graduation.
Rankings
- #6 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut
- #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
- #11 Best Colleges in Connecticut
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut
- #13 Best Master's Programs in Connecticut
Can I Get In?
How selective Eastern Connecticut State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Willimantic, Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1160
- SAT Range
- 1070–1260
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,210
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 5,488
- Admitted
- 4,052
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Connecticut State University is $17,428, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,067. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,654 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,928
- Out-of-State
- $17,428
- Avg Net Price
- $21,067
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 48%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,654
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,943
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,340
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,346
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Eastern Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $56,469, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,289
- 8 Years
- $48,035
- 10 Years
- $56,469
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (382)
- 45%
- 100% (382)
- 45%
- 100% (382)
- 45%
- 100% (382)
- 45%
How Eastern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Eastern Connecticut State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Eastern Connecticut State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,067/year ($84,268 total). Graduates earn $56,469 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,404,013 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,319,745 (16.7× your investment). The median debt is $24,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $84,268
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,404,013
- Net Return
- $1,319,745
- ROI Multiple
- 16.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,067
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Eastern Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Connecticut State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.89%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.89%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,900
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $503,346
- Investment Income
- $163,815
Top Programs
The fields Eastern Connecticut State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Social Sciences 12%
- Psychology 10%
- Health Professions 9%
- Communications 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Humanities 7%
- Education 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Eastern Connecticut State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Willimantic, Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,160. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Connecticut State University is $17,428, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,067. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,654 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
Is Eastern Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $56,469, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Eastern Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Connecticut State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.89%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Eastern Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Eastern Connecticut State University.
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · Close peer49% grad $55,933 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA · Close peer67% grad $60,613 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Eastern Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note